208-634-5550
Rise up and stay ABUSE FREE !
208-634-5031
Photo Source : Getty Images
someone ’ s feelings ? If you do have sex , what kind of contraception will you use ? How will you get it ? Will you know how to use it properly ? Think about all of this before you ’ re caught up in the heat of the moment .
3 . You can always say “ no ”— even if you ’ ve said “ yes ” before . Just because one relationship included sex doesn ’ t mean all relationships will . You don ’ t even have to continue having sex with your current partner if you don ’ t want to . In fact , more than half of teen guys say that they are “ relieved ” when their female partner wants to wait to have sex . You always have the power to say no , regardless of your sexual history or your reputation . for the first time or the 50th time , if you ’ re not using contraception , there is a chance of pregnancy . If that sounds like a risk you don ’ t want to take , you can always decide you ’ re just not ready for sex .
6 . If you ’ re drunk or high , you can ’ t make good decisions about anything — especially sex . Drinking alcohol and using drugs makes teens more likely to have unplanned or even unwanted sex . Having sex while drunk or high means you are much less likely to use protection . Even if you had meant to wait or use protection , those plans go out the window fast if you ’ re not thinking straight . Lots of teens say they ’ ve done something sexually when using drugs or alcohol that they might not have done if they ’ d been sober . If you ’ re going to a party with your friends , agree ahead of time to look out for each other . Step in if you see someone you care about losing control — before they do something they might not remember or
Photo Source : © © Justin Paget / Corbis
ABUSE MAGAZINE
baggage as a parent or another grownup . You can make a big difference . In fact , the younger teens are when they first have sex , the more they wind up regretting it . Let younger teens know that they should take their time and not feel pressure to grow up too fast . They ’ re listening to you .
541-889-7535
Proud to be a drug free workplace and supporter !
797 NORTH OREGON STREET • ONTARIO , OR
“ Things were moving so fast . We didn ’ t stop to think about protection . I wish I ’ d taken five
minutes to buy a condom — instead I ’ ll be working to support my son for the
rest of my life .”
- Guy , 16
4 . Surprise ! Guys actually value relationships over sex . Two out of three teen guys say that they could be happy in a relationship without sex — and that they would rather have a girlfriend but no sex than sex but no girlfriend . Most guys want what girls want — love , connection and a relationship with someone they can trust . In fact , more than half of teen guys say they would not have sex with someone unless they really loved her . Contrary to what most people think , the majority of high school-aged guys have not had sex , and the average age that guys lose their virginity is 17 .
“ I told my boyfriend , ‘ We have a son .’ He said , ‘ No , we don ’ t . YOU have a son .’”
- Girl , 15
5 . It only takes once . One of the most common myths among teens is that pregnancy can ’ t happen the first time you have sex . Actually , it can , and it does . Even if you ’ re both virgins . When teens become sexually active , the sex is almost always unplanned and sporadic ; communication between partners is often poor ; and denial and guilt may stand in the way of getting and using protection . Whether you ’ re having sex might really regret .
7 . Girls : Sex won ’ t make him yours , and a baby won ’ t make him stay . One of the worst reasons to have sex is because you think your boyfriend will dump you if you don ’ t . Sex and pregnancy don ’ t guarantee a lasting , loving relationship — in fact , three-quarters of guys say that sex won ’ t make them stay in a relationship they don ’ t want to be in . Babies don ’ t keep a relationship glued together — they are more likely to tear them apart : 8 out of 10 of teen fathers don ’ t marry their babies ’ mothers , and most guys don ’ t stick around at all .
8 . Guys : You can say “ no ,” too . Girls aren ’ t the only ones who feel pressure to have sex . Nearly 8 in 10 teen guys say there is way too much pressure on them to have sex — from friends , from girls , and from society — and 1 in 5 teen guys admits to going farther sexually than they really wanted to because of pressure from a girl . You don ’ t have to have sex to prove anything . Having sex doesn ’ t make you a man : waiting until you ’ re ready and acting responsibly does .
9 . Older teens : Younger teens are listening to you . Talk with your little sister or brother or younger cousin — let them know they can ask you anything . Kids who have positive , close relationships with older siblings are less like to take risks with sex . They look up to you , and you don ’ t carry as much
P . O . Box 1766 - Nyssa , OR
541-372-2277
“ We are proudly supporting our youth in their efforts to remain drug free . We care & get involved !”
HEADY ' S
POWER PRODUCTS
208-634-5550
We are proud to help provide our teens with the right TOOLS for an ABUSE FREE future !
13850 Highway 55 • McCall , ID
Rise up and stay ABUSE FREE !
208-634-5031
P . O . Box 2797 • McCall , ID
abusemagazine . org | Idaho Spring / Summer 2014 | 19